Toronto: 4 New Restaurants Not to Miss While in Town

Film festival goers can try Miku's Japanese-European infused dishes or visit Cafe Boulud, a French brasserie frequented by Canadian stars Justin Bieber and Drake.

Miku restaurant in Toronto.

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Antler

1454 Dundas St. West

Game Burger

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Wild and foraged ingredients dominate chef Michael Hunter's quaint space in Little Portugal. Says Hunter, "I think of new dishes while foraging and hunting in the woods." Local director Jody Shapiro (Green Porno) apprenticed under Hunter and co-owns Antler. Shapiro's Hollywood ties led to him hosting Isabella Rossellini with game-focused dishes like the ricotta cavatelli with wild boar ragu ($28) or spice ash crusted rack of deer ($39). Also recommended: the game burger ($18).

Cafe Boulud

60 Yorkville Ave.

Cafe Boulud interior

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Relaunched in November, this outpost in Yorkville's Four Seasons Hotel was envisioned by star chef Daniel Boulud as a traditional French brasserie. "The menu is a reflection of flavors that are near to my heart," says head chef Sylvain Assie. Recent fans include Idris Elba, Justin Bieber, Drake and Rod Stewart. Recommended just for the frites is the Frenchie burger ($25), or try the rotisserie chicken with roasted potatoes ($29).

Miku

105-10 Bay St.

Miku

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Executive chef Kazuya Matsuoka, who worked in Los Angeles for Chaya Brasserie, a pioneer of Asian cuisine with a French twist, opened this 180-person sushi spot in October. Flame-seared seafood is his top draw. "We combine that with creamy Japanese-European influenced sauce and lightly flame sear it to bring out the umami flavor," says Matsuoka. Try the wild sockeye salmon Oshi sushi ($17) or the Kyoto saikyo miso baked sablefish ($36).

Figo

295 Adelaide St. West

Figo

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Executive chef Anne Chen takes Italian dishes to the next level just around the corner from Bell Lightbox. Figo opened in November and quickly lured Rachel McAdams, Mark Ruffalo and Liev Schreiber for dishes prepared simply but with a modern twist. "I draw inspiration from the food I ate growing up — simple but not simplistic," says Chen. Don't miss the tortelli with ricotta, arugula, butter and sage ($18) or the grilled whole branzino ($36).